Uhhhh, cleveland still has a ton of decent players such as Varaejo, Jamison, Williams, Powe, Sessions, Hickson....

But no stars. Same boat as the raps.

Yes, but the grade is not supposed to be where they are, but what they have done. While the Raptors did some moves to improve their situation in the offseason, Cleveland has done virtually nothing. They sat out the draft, traded for Ramon Sessions (whose still got 4 years left on his contract and couldn't beat out Jonny Flynn in Minnesota) and signed Joey Graham. Toronto picked up an extra draft pick as well as getting a top 10 pick at 13, signed Kleiza and was able to trade Turkoglu for a useable player who's younger AND has a shorter contract. And while they may have overpaid Amir, they were able to re-sign him instead of losing him to another team. They were able to improve their situation without hurting their future.

I don't think the offseason has been spectacular, with losing Bosh, but I'd certainly say they've done better than Cleveland.

And while they may have overpaid Amir, they were able to re-sign him instead of losing him to another team.

I don't think they overpaid Amir at all. Really, his contract works out to $5 million a year for a first big man off the bench, if not a starter. The media misreported his contract when it was signed (they counted all the incentives and bonuses, which if he achieves again makes him worth it), and are still hanging on to this number. Another misrepresentation.

Yes, but the grade is not supposed to be where they are, but what they have done. While the Raptors did some moves to improve their situation in the offseason, Cleveland has done virtually nothing. They sat out the draft, traded for Ramon Sessions (whose still got 4 years left on his contract and couldn't beat out Jonny Flynn in Minnesota) and signed Joey Graham. Toronto picked up an extra draft pick as well as getting a top 10 pick at 13, signed Kleiza and was able to trade Turkoglu for a useable player who's younger AND has a shorter contract. And while they may have overpaid Amir, they were able to re-sign him instead of losing him to another team. They were able to improve their situation without hurting their future.

I don't think the offseason has been spectacular, with losing Bosh, but I'd certainly say they've done better than Cleveland.

I have already proven that if Johnson plays at just the same level in 10-11 that he did in 09-10 that for 10-11 the Raptors will not be overpaying him. In fact compared to other veteran Power Forwards in the league; i.e., those not on rookie contracts, they will be paying him less than the average per Win Share which after all is what counts. Remember that Johnson will only be making $5 million in 10-11. His annual salary escalates from there starting in 11-12.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Cost Per Win Share Created Amir Does Welll

All Forwards with Wins Shares in 2010-11 equal to or greater than 2.0 and equal to or less than 5.0 Johnson had 4.5 Wins Shares last season...........

In this case Johnson was the fifth most productive among this group of Forwards when it comes to producing Win Shares; i.e. Wins for the team, based upon his actual minutes played in 09-10 and his 10-11 salary.

On the other hand Bargnani was only the 15th most cost effective player out of this group and costs MLSE twice as much per win produced than Johnson.

Therefore in conclusion it seems to me that when it comes toward contributing toward the Raptors winning that Bargnani is the one that is getting overpaid and not Johnson

Let me clarify. I said Amir MAY have been overpaid, as in there are some with the opinion that he was overpaid. Personally, I think the contract was fine, but I realize that there are many who disagree.

Yes, but the grade is not supposed to be where they are, but what they have done. While the Raptors did some moves to improve their situation in the offseason, Cleveland has done virtually nothing. They sat out the draft, traded for Ramon Sessions (whose still got 4 years left on his contract and couldn't beat out Jonny Flynn in Minnesota) and signed Joey Graham. Toronto picked up an extra draft pick as well as getting a top 10 pick at 13, signed Kleiza and was able to trade Turkoglu for a useable player who's younger AND has a shorter contract. And while they may have overpaid Amir, they were able to re-sign him instead of losing him to another team. They were able to improve their situation without hurting their future.

I don't think the offseason has been spectacular, with losing Bosh, but I'd certainly say they've done better than Cleveland.

So, the game today is called: Find some stats that make Amir and his signing look good? For what he has shown so far, he is overpaid. And please don't tell me, he's got a contract for what kind of player he may be in 2 years. Every GM who has to gamble like this should be fired. Simply one of the worst signings ever. I can't imagine what contract they want to give to Demar. Max-money?

So, the game today is called: Find some stats that make Amir and his signing look good? For what he has shown so far, he is overpaid. And please don't tell me, he's got a contract for what kind of player he may be in 2 years. Every GM who has to gamble like this should be fired. Simply one of the worst signings ever. I can't imagine what contract they want to give to Demar. Max-money?

Okay I will make nice

Based upon what you said do you think that the Raptors

1. Should try and trade Amir
2. Should just keep in on the bench
3. Should give him a few scrap minutes here and there
4. Should put him in street clothes for the next five years.

Seriously now that the Raptors have given to Johnson one of the worst contracts ever in your opinion what should the Raptors do to rectify the situation?

We lost our best player, and got nothing in return. We've done relatively little to replace his talent. Raptors management definitely deserves a D.

Well, actually, the Raptors lost the best player, which is bad, but got back a couple of draft picks and a big trade exception, which they haven't used, yet. They also were able to sign Kleiza, who should end up being a good signing, and traded Turkoglu away for a younger player making less money, with a shorter contract, who may well score as much as Turkoglu does this season. They've been able to get younger and not do anything that risks the future. I don't think they've done well this season, but certainly have done better than Cleveland and have not had a completely horrible offseason.